The National tribune., 1887-03-03
UP RED RIVER.
The Wagon Train OF The Fourth Division, Thir-
tcenih Corps. Vas Not Captured at Mansfield.


the sth day OF April, 1861, says that all OF
Maj .-GCn. Banks's trains were captured.
have no complaint 20 make as 20 the correct
ness OF his statement except 20 far as NJ APP
plies 10 the capture of the trains of the Fourth
Division, Thirteenth Corps / have read three
distinct atements Of this same engagement,
aud All have fallen in the sane unfortunate
error. When men write history for coming
generations bearing upon important events,
they should exhaust all available means, so as
10 euablc them 10 write nothing bat the naked
truth. Hence IL is we feel il our duty 10 give
your readers true statement touching the
capture aforesaid.
] was the A. A. @. NJ of the Fourth Divis-
ion, Thirteenth Corps which was commanded
by the brave and gallant Col. w. J. Landrum,
of the 18th Ky. The First Brigade was com
posed Of the 18th H.. 23d Wis, 9th Ind. and
the l9th KY, commanded by Col. Frank Elmer
son, Of the 9th Ind, and the Second Brigade was
composed of the 4Sth. SD aud 96th Ohio aud
l3Oih H., commanded by Col. J. w. Vance, OF
the 96th Ohio; the brigades being part OF de-
tachment Of the Thirteenth Corps, under the
command Of the brave aud gallant Gen. L.
l.. u. Ransom. During the battle Gen. Ran
som was dangerously wounded and whilst he
was being carried from the field he passed near
where i was stationed with the trains OF his
command. lie sent one of his Aids 10 me, who
! reported that the rebels confronting has com
mand were in overwhelming force, and mat
! unless reinlOruements were sent forward at
once he greatly feared that il would be re-
! pulsed, driven hack and perhaps entirely de-
! Heated; and that / must Immediately place my
! train in such position that IL could be moved
/ 10 the rear in safety, in case of defeat az the
front, and that If any OF the Regimental Quar-
! termasters were absent upon the battle-ground,
for me to order them back at once, so as TO
assist In making all Deedful arrangements 10
I caf afx ynff ha
each and all Of them must remain at the head
OF their train. TO be ready to move away upon
moments notice. These orders were promptly
executed.
Gen. Ransom saw that part of the train of
Gen. Bankss command in front had completely
blocIaded the road and in case of defeat the
whole would be captured, which subsequently
proved true; and rs my train was stationed
along a very narrow road, surrounded on all
sides by an almost impenetrable forest of heavy
timber and underground, he saw the importance
of saving my train, hence his orders to that
effect. Very soon after Gen. Ransom was borne
from the field his command was totally defeated,
and the infantry, cavalry, camp-followers
negroes and all, who had escaped being killed
captured or wounded, became panic-stricken
and fled 10 the rear in the widest confusion
Their reason seemed TO be dethroned for the
time being, and such q scare never was wit
messed upon any battle-ground during the
whole unpleasantness, except after the first
battle Of Bull Run, and whilst the wild rout
continued many of our brave officers wereseen
running and riding hither and thither, begging
pleading and threatening and using every argu-
ment, trying TO stop the panic-stricken men
and rally them once again. Their efforts
were fruitless until they had retreated some
four or five miles, when a general halt was
made, and all was well again. Amidst this
wild panic and until all had passed 10 the rear
the Regimental Quartermasters and my Team
sters stood brayely at their post and never
fnched.
Just then, 10 add new trouble. the 3Jth n. Y.
Zouaves came up and formed in line of battle
and cut off my headquarters wagon from the
residue Of the train. The ZOuayes, with fixed
bayonets, refused TO open ranks and let il pass
10 their rear. The Colonel being near at hand,
i rode up TO where he was aud informed him
that the wagon contained all the division head
quarters records, aud that he would do me
great favor 10 have his soldiers open ranks and
let il pass 10 the rear. This he very kindly did
at once. At this time the Confederate bullets
were kissing and whizzing over our heads, and
then, and not till then, mo orders having been
given me TO fall back, and the train being
headed 10 the 'front.' i took the responsibility
OF ordering the train TO turn round and move
TO the rear The order was promptly executed,
and all moved off in the very best of order
with our panic-stricken command; not having
lost a single wagon, mule, horse or set Of har-
ness.
On the 10Th day Of April Col w. J. Landrum,
commanding the Fourth Division, said in his
official report of the battle aforesaid:
Lieut.. q. II. Mckinney, A. A. q. NJ. is en-
titled 10 praise for care and attention 10 the
division train, none of which were captured
had 26 mules, 2S sets wheel harness and Ii
amin anppC on the haftlporarn1 al ofk Uh
were captured. They were subject 10 the orders
of the Division Surgeon, and, as a matter of
course j could not control them or prevent
their capture. An ammunition train of %
wagons was in my immediate front. j went
10 the Lieutenant IN charge Of the same and
informed him Of Gen Ransoms orders TO me-
and advised him TO rearrange his train so that
he could save it. The wagons were all crowded
so close together that il was not possible for
any of them TO find room 10 turn round. IL
was then too late for him TO do anything and
very soon thereafter the panic commenced and
the whole were captured by the rebels.
So IL is If " Carleton" was a member of the
Fourth Division, Thirteenth Corps upon that
eventful day, he must assuredly recolect that
he found his camp equipage safe and sound
next morning.
To the brave and heroic Regimcntal Quarter
masters, as well az the Teamsters, who stood
by their trains 10 the last moment-even until
the last panic-stricken soldier had gone by
then quietly. and without undue excitement,
turned round and drove away TO the redeZyOus
where the command had been halted-f0r
their GOODNESS and courage the old Fourth
Division, Thirteenth Corps, will ever hold them
in the kindest remembrance for having saved
their grub"-GEo. III. MCKINNEY, A. A. q.
NJ, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Corps, Stan
ford, Ky.
.